Wow, it was nice to get back on the winning track this afternoon in lovely Newark New Jersey. Some thought from the game tonite:
Eric Tangradi gets a little more comfortable it seems with each game. His pressure on Kovalpuke tonite directly led to a goal by Goligoski, and he is always right in front of the net. He has missed some chances to finish, but that will come. One of several things I like about this kid is the fact that he understands his job. He is hitting every thing that moves, and going to the net at every chance. His size is an element that the Pens really need. Can you imagine if the Big Dog gets a bit better with his hands, with his size and toughness, a line centered by Staal with Malkin and Tangradi on the wings? That could make the top line Crosby Kunitz Comrie, and the third line of Talbot, Cooke and Asham. Good balance there;
Goligoski now has 2 goals in three games, uh, 2 more than Crosby at this point. I am glad for Goligoski, his confidence should be there now, and that could make all the difference in the world;
Paul Martin, after a slow start is showing why Shero signed him for 5 years at 5M. He is very smooth skating, can rush the puck with authority, and makes very smart plays to get the Pens out of their zone and on the rush. He will be fun to watch this season;
The defense in general was very impressive. With Orpik out from the start, and Michalek out for half the game, Lovejoy and Engellend had to step up and both did. I was impressed with Engellend who I thought looked a little shaky against Philadelphia. He played physical but smart hockey, and Lovejoy did what he does, which is solid positional hockey. Letang and Martin ate big minutes and led by example. The goals tonite in effect were all from the defense. The first goal by Goose, the second, credited to Letestu was the result of a bullet from Letang, and Martin closed it out with an empty netter;
Eric Tangradi gets a little more comfortable it seems with each game. His pressure on Kovalpuke tonite directly led to a goal by Goligoski, and he is always right in front of the net. He has missed some chances to finish, but that will come. One of several things I like about this kid is the fact that he understands his job. He is hitting every thing that moves, and going to the net at every chance. His size is an element that the Pens really need. Can you imagine if the Big Dog gets a bit better with his hands, with his size and toughness, a line centered by Staal with Malkin and Tangradi on the wings? That could make the top line Crosby Kunitz Comrie, and the third line of Talbot, Cooke and Asham. Good balance there;
Goligoski now has 2 goals in three games, uh, 2 more than Crosby at this point. I am glad for Goligoski, his confidence should be there now, and that could make all the difference in the world;
Paul Martin, after a slow start is showing why Shero signed him for 5 years at 5M. He is very smooth skating, can rush the puck with authority, and makes very smart plays to get the Pens out of their zone and on the rush. He will be fun to watch this season;
The defense in general was very impressive. With Orpik out from the start, and Michalek out for half the game, Lovejoy and Engellend had to step up and both did. I was impressed with Engellend who I thought looked a little shaky against Philadelphia. He played physical but smart hockey, and Lovejoy did what he does, which is solid positional hockey. Letang and Martin ate big minutes and led by example. The goals tonite in effect were all from the defense. The first goal by Goose, the second, credited to Letestu was the result of a bullet from Letang, and Martin closed it out with an empty netter;
Letestu has been the Pens best player thus far this season. His goal tonite, though created by the blast from Letang, occurred also because Letestu did the dirty work to get in front of the net in a position to have the ping pong action of the puck go off of his skate and in the net;
Malkin and Crosby have not finished plays thus far this year, with both being shut out completely in 2 of 3 games, and each having one point total, but I dont expect THAT to continue. Still I would feel better to see one or both start to put some pucks in the net. The power play is not clicking at a high percentage yet, but I do think it looks better overall, and will improve as the players get used to each other......Finally, not a fan of the Bylsma line juggling, but the Pens won an important game in the division. Now to break the cherry of the CEC Wednesday night against an improved Leafs team.
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